Multiple-splining machine



Feb. 16 1926.

J. A. SHUTZ MULTIPLE SPLINING MACHINE Filed April 16, 1924 ,4 TTU/P/VEYPatented Feh. 1c, 1926.

outrun stares JOHN A. SHUTZ, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA.

MULTIPLE-SPLINING MACHINE.

Application filed April 16, 1924.

Be it known that I. Jenn A. SHUirz, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of liayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Multiple- Splinin Machines of which the following is aspecification This invention relates to new and useful improvements inmultiple splining ma- 3 chines. It is the principal object of myinvention to provide machine adapted to form a plurality of splinessimultaneously in the endof a shaft in a minimunr amount of time and inan accurate and efiicientman- "ner. In other words, my machine will cutany number of splines in a shaft in one operation.

' 1 "ing to the accompanying drawing's, Figure 1 is a side elevationalview of my machine, partially in section. Figure is a sectional viewtaken through the machine on the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is adetail view of the cutting-tool actuating mechanism. And Figure 4 is adetail plan view of the ratchet mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates abase plate provided with a guide slot 2 in which there reci i rocates aplate 3 having a head-stock l and a tail stock 5 supported thereon. Thehead and tail stocks are provided with centers 6 adapted to support ashaft 7 in the end of which it is desired to machine a plurality ofsplines 8.

The grooves or splines 8 in the shaft 7 are radually formed by shavingthe metal by means of a plurality of cutting tools or bits 9, thecutting edges of which are formed to conform to, the shape of thesplines desired. The cutting tools traverse the end the shaft repeatedlyin forming the splines in a manner well known to those acquainted withmachine tools such as planers and shapers.

In the operation of the machine the bits or cutting tools are relativelystationary, and the work or shaft 7 is reciprocated by a crank 10mounted on a shaft 11 journaled in a bearing 12 provided with a drivingpulley 13. The crank 10 is connected to the head stock 4; by aconnecting rod 14.

The cutting tools or bits 9 are secured to radially disposed clapperplates 15 by means of clamps 16. The position of the Serial No. 706,960.

hits on the plates 15 relative to the shaft may be adjusted by screws17.

The clapper plates are pivotally 1nouuted at 18 on feed blocks 1.5). Thepivots 118 permit the cutting bits to reccde slightly (luring: thenon-cutting stroke of the shaft 7. The feed blocks 19 are provided withguile slots 20, and are radially movable along a stationary head 21.This head is mounted on the base plate 1 by means of posts 2 and isprovided with a central opening 1.4) through which the shaft 7 0X-tends.

The feed blocks 19 and the cutting bits carried thereby are movedradially in and out by a rotating plate 2% mounted in the head 21 andprovided with spiral threads on one face thereof which mesh withcorresponding threads 26 on the rear faces of the blocks; 1!). The plate24: is provided with a bevel gear 27 in mesh with a bevel pinion 28mounted on a shaft 29 journaled in a bearing 30 attached to the head 21.(See Figures 1 and 3.) Vihen the shaft 29 is rotated, the plate 2st willalso be rotated and all the cutting bits 9 will be moved in and outsinmltaneously.

The cutting bits 9 are moved inwardly automatically during the machiningoperation by a ratchet 31 mounted on the shaft 29. The ratchet 31 is inoperative relation with a spring-influenced pawl 32 mounted in a housing33. This housing forms part of a lever 3% pivoted on the shaft 29. Theouter end of the lever 3a is connected to the head stock 4 by a post anda connecting rod 38.

It will be seen from this description that, whenever the shaft 7 ismoved toward the cranl; 10, the cutting bits will be fed graduallyinwardly. The cutting bits 9 are moved outwardly manually by a crank 37mounted on the shaft 29. To permit the ratchet 31 to turn freely duringthe manual peration, the pawl 32 is provided with a finger piece 38which extends through the housing 33.

By the means thus described, a plurality of splines will be formed inthe end of the shaft 7, or in any other shaft, in a minimum amount oftime, in an accurate and efficient manner, and in a single operation ofthe machine.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a multiple splining machine, the combination with a base, of adevice reciprocable thereon for carrying a shaft in which a plurality ofsplines are to be formed, a stationary head mounted on the base, havingan opening through which the shaft extends, feed blocks radially movablealong the stationary head, cutting tools hingedly carried by the feedblocks, said feed blocks formed with spiral threads in their rear faces,a rotatable plate mounted on the stationary head having spiral threadson one face thereof, to engage the threads on the feed blocks, powermeans for operating the r'eciprocable device, and means operable by thelatter to rotate said plate to automatically feed the cutting toolsinwardly during the machining operation.

2. In a multiple splining machine, the combination with a base, of adevice reciprocable thereon for carrying a shaft in which a plurality ofsplines are to be formecL-a stationary head mounted on the base, havingan opening through which the shaft vextends, feed blocks radiallymovable along the stationary head, cutting tools hingcdly car 'ied bythe feed blocks, said feed blocks formed with spiral threads in theirrear faces, a rotatable plate mounted on the stationar 7 head havingspiral threads on one face thereof, to engage the threads on the feedblocks, power means for operating he rec procable device, and ratchetmeans operable by the latter to rotate said plate to automatically feedthe cutting tools inwardly during the machining operation.

8. In a multiple splining machine, the combination witha base, of adevice reciprocable thereon for carrying a shaft in which a plurality ofsplines are to be formed, a stationary head mounted on the base, havingan opening through which the shaft extends, feed blocks radially movablealong the stationary head, cutting tools hingedly carried by the feedblocks, a bear ing' in the upper part of the stationary head, a verticalshaftjournaled in said bearing, a bevel pinion mounted on the verticalshaft, a rotatable plate mounted on the stationary head and formed {withspiral threads on their rear faces to engage the threads on the plate, abevel gear on the plate in mesh with the bevel pinion on the verticalshaft, a ratchet mounted on the latter, a lever pivoted on he verticalshaft,

:1. spring-influenced pawl on said lever for engagement with saidratchet, power means for operating the reclprocable device, and

connecting means between the latter and sa'd lever for thepurposespecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day ofApril,1924-.

JOHN A. errors.

